Annual Report
BENDIGO BOWLS DIVISION INC.
ANNUAL REPORT
2019/2020
BENDIGO BOWLS DIVISION INC.
(Affiliated with Bowls Victoria)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH APRIL 2020
Board Officers
Chairman Marian Craze
Deputy Chairman Arthur Harrison
Secretary Geoff Howes
Treasurer Stephen Piercy
DIRECTORS
Coral Maxted, Tony Doolan, Mike Greenwood, Ann Howe.
LIFE MEMBERS. Reg Marslen, Ken Phillips, Arthur Eaton, Ken Gloster, Ken Gullick, Athol Mills, Jacqui Davis, Loretta Harris, Geoff Howes, Marjorie Gorrie
PENNANT/COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE John Grenfell (Chairman),Tas Wallis, Susan Howes, Heather Cozens, Travis Bradley, Vicky Tierney and Ruth Pearce.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Women- Susan Howes, Mardi Chisholm, Vicki Greenwood, Betty Bodinnar and Heather Cozens. Men’s—Travis Bradley Marc Smith and Nicholas Belt.
UMPIRES PANEL
Peter Simmons, Marj Gorrie (Presenter and Assessor)
John Dullard and Bev Clements
COACHING COMMITTEE
Veronika Groves
UNDER 18’S BOWLS COMMITTEE
Vicki Greenwood and Stephanie Priest
.
PENNANT RECORDER
Susan Howes
HANDBOOK COMMITTEE
Len Grainger and Geoff Howes
AUDITOR
Michael J Job and Associates
134 Queen Street, Bendigo.
DELEGATES
Club
Bendigo Peter McMaster-Smith, Vicki Greenwood
Bendigo East John and Bronwyn McDermott
Bendigo VRI Vern Evans, Marjorie Gorrie
Bridgewater Barry and Kathleen McNaught
Calivil Keith Richards, Merle Boyd
Campbell’s Creek Russell Loats, Rayelene Droney
Castlemaine Rod and Maureen Fletcher
Dingee Tony Doolan, Bruce Lawry
Eaglehawk Stephen Piercy, Jenny O’Shea
Golden Square Colin Bird, Dawn Jennings
Harcourt Brian Smith, Kay Francis
Heathcote Brian Taylor
Inglewood Lindsay Kelly, Edna Patterson
Kangaroo Flat Ray Sparke, Susan Howes
Lockwood South Brian Ede,
Marong Steve Fulton, Pauline Williams, Shirley Grant
North Bendigo Garry Haigh, Dan Murphy
Serpentine Frank Maher, Alan Bish
South Bendigo John Hayes, Rosie Punton
Strathfieldsaye Graham Etherton, Adrian Morris
White Hills Trevor Lamb, Ann Churchill
Woodbury Len Handley, Len Grainger
The activities of the Division for the 2019-2020 season are reported as follows,
Sponsors
Our generous sponsors continue to support Lawn Bowls in our Division. For the year under review our thanks go to,
Bendigo Bank
Moama Bowling Club Inc.
Flack Advisory (George Flack) Bendigo
Dunlop and Pitson Earthmoving P/L
Great Ideas
The Bendigo Club (Kilmore Racing Club)
All bowlers are urged to support these businesses whenever the occasion arises.
DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS SEASON 2019/2020
Champion of Champions-Men- Winner Lawrence Brooks (Bendigo) Runner-up Greg Brain (Castlemaine) Women- Taylah Marron (Bendigo East) Runner-up Stephanie Priest (Bendigo)
State Singles
Men- Winner Lee Schraner (Bendigo East) Runner-up Ken Rusbridge (Eaglehawk)
Women- Winner Helen Clough (Bendigo East) Runner-up Kaye Rowe (Eaglehawk)
State Pairs
Men- Winner Brad Marron/ Lee Schraner (s) Bendigo East Runner Up- Cohen Balnaves/ James Oliver (s) Bendigo
Women- Jean Belt/ Val White (s) Bendigo Runner-up Nancy Tate/ Sylvia Lord (s) Bendigo
State Triples
Men- Winner Liam Crapper, Greg Page, Brad Holland (s) South Bendigo Runner-up Luke Hoskin, Frank Byrne, Ian Ross (s) Composite
Women- Ruth Pearce, Julie Robins, Veronika Groves (s) Golden Square Runner-up
Jan Ovenden, Marg Bennet, Val White (s) Bendigo
State Fours
Men- Winner- Bruce Morley, Mick Manning, Tori Babitsch, Ian Ross (s) Composite
Runner-up- Graeme Edwards, Marc Smith, Brad Marron, Lee Schraner (s) Bendigo East.
Women- Winner Brooke Davies, Jan Palmer, Gwen Waegeli, Susan Howes (s) Kangaroo Flat
Runner-up- Pat Devereaux, Carrol Frost, Pam Hunter, Tricia O’Shea (s) Castlemaine
60 & Over Singles
Men- Winner-Phil Godkin (Eaglehawk) Runner-up Geoff Boyd (Kangaroo Flat)
Women- Winner- Susan Howes (Kangaroo Flat) Runner-up- Julie Ross (Golden Square)
60 & Over Pairs
Men- Winner Geoff Wilson/ Lindsay Kelly (s) Inglewood Runner-up Alan Eddy/ Wayne Robins (s) Golden Square
Winner- Judy Davey/ Helen Clough (s) Bendigo East Runner-up Pam Hunter/ Tricia O’Shea (s) Castlemaine
Novice Singles
Men- Josh Wiffen (South Bendigo) Runner-up Steve Driessen (South Bendigo)
Women- Dawn Gibbs (Eaglehawk) Runner-up- Jeni Eddy (Golden Square)
State Mixed Pairs
Winner- Taylah Marron/Lee Schraner (s) Bendigo East Runner-up Vicky Tierney/ Lindsay Kelly (s) Inglewood
Midweek Pennant (Anniversary) Fours
Winner- Lindsay Troy, Eric White, Brooke Davies, Gwen Waegeli (s) Kangaroo Flat
Runner-up- Robert Clough, Jenny Clough, Carol Gallop, Ann Borham (s) Bendigo East.
BENDIGO/CAMPASPE REGION FINALS
The following Bendigo representatives were successful in the
The Region Finals
Novice Singles–
Men- Josh Wiffen (South Bendigo) def Adam Cowley (Mathoura)
Women’s’- Dawn Gibbs (Eaglehawk) lt Robyn Tooley (Echuca)
Men’s Fours- Allen Buzzer, Richard Blain, Alan Jones, Merv Harvey (Moama) def Bruce Morley, Mick Manning, Torie Babitsch, Ian Ross (Composite)
Women’s Fours- Brooke Davies, Jan Palmer, Gwen Waegeli, Susan Howes (Kangaroo Flat) def Ros Neil, Jenny Tonta, Chris Taylor, Joan Moss (Composite)
Men’s Triples- Liam (Crackers) Crapper, Greg Page, Brad Holland (South Bendigo) def Greg Pettigrove, Mark Chapman, Glen Dorwood (Moama
Women’s Triples- Jade Campbell, Merilyn Rehe, Melissa Roberts (Moama) def Ruth Pearce, Julie Robins, Ronnie Groves (Golden Square)
Men’s 60 & Over Singles- Phil Godkin (Eaglehawk) def Ivan Hicks (Echuca)
Women’s 60 & Over Singles – Susan Howes (Kangaroo Flat) def Marilyn Stephenson (Moama) Men’s 60 & Over Pairs- Geoff Wilson/ Lindsay Kelly (Inglewood) def Ivan Hicks/ Phillip Thorn (Echuca)
Women’s 60 & Over Pairs- Judy Davey/ Helen Clough (Bendigo East) def Faye Munnerley/ Jill Grimshaw (Deniliquin
State Singles- Men-Lee Schraner (Bendigo East) def Merv Harvey (Moama) Women- Pat Schram (Echuca) def Helen Clough (Bendigo East)
State Pairs – Men- Brad Marron/ Lee Schraner (s) Bendigo East def Ron Bunting/Vern Rehe (s) Moama
Women- Terri Thompson/ Mary Ann Spicer (s) Moama def Jean Belt/ Val White (s) Bendigo
Champion of Champion- Men- Lawrence Brooks (Bendigo) def Dick Fuek (Rochester)
Women’s -Taylah Marron (Bendigo East) def Melissa Roberts (Moama)
Mixed Pairs- Taylah Marron/ Lee Schraner (Bendigo East) def Lee and Geoff Beattie (Echuca)
Due to current situation the State Championships have been postponed to later in the year.
Region Pennant Finals
Not held due to COVID-19.
State Pennant Championships also cancelled.
MIDWEEK PENNANT LADDERS (Winner *)
Division 1 Division 2
Bendigo East 145/137 White Hills 160/214
Bendigo 133/19 Bendigo 146/90
Golden Square 128/99 * South Bendigo 143/35
Inglewood 116/13 Kangaroo Flat 126/126 *
Eaglehawk 113/-14 Bendigo East 113/51
Kangaroo Flat 110/-7 Golden Square 99/-54
Castlemaine 89/-49 Heathcote 73/-140
Woodbury 62/-212 Marong 36/-322
Division 3 Division 4
Woodbury 203/284 * Castlemaine 156/211 *
Campbell’s Creek 148/196 Bendigo East 151/144
Kangaroo Flat 114/24 Strathfieldsaye 151/142
Eaglehawk 113/3 Dingee 146/169
Harcourt 100/-91 Calivil/Serpentine 102/-61
Golden Square 99/-12 South Bendigo 95/-78
Bendigo VRI 75/-124 Kangaroo Flat 55/-210
Bridgewater 44/-280 Golden Square 40/-317
Division 5
Inglewood 159/92
White Hills (Red) 142/208
Strathfieldsaye 133/96 *
Castlemaine 123/56
Bendigo 121/143
White Hills (Black) 81/-32
Bendigo East 44/-251
Harcourt 34/-217
WEEKEND PENNANT LADDERS (Winner *)
Division 1 Division 2
Bendigo East 186/257 Eaglehawk 160/67
Eaglehawk 162/129 (111.569%) Kangaroo Flat 157/85 *
Kangaroo Flat 162/129 (111.559%) South Bendigo 155/75
South Bendigo 161/142 * Bendigo East 144/14
Golden Square 104/-128 White Hills 109/-24
Castlemaine 87/-215 Bendigo 108/-63
Bendigo 81/-135 Strathfieldsaye 93/-66
Inglewood 65/-179 Marong 82/-88
Division 3 Division 4
Bendigo East 189/185 South Bendigo 166/392
Harcourt 178/210 * Eaglehawk 144/135
Golden Square 132/93 Marong 141/-26
Bendigo 126/-13 Strathfieldsaye 135//-4 *
Serpentine 114/-62 Castlemaine 129/-57
Woodbury 100/-93 Bendigo East 125/-83
Heathcote 94/-13 North Bendigo 106/-99
Kangaroo Flat 75/-189 Kangaroo Flat 62/-258
Division 5 Division 6
Golden Square 170/236 * Eaglehawk 184/304
Campbell’s Creek 166/121 Kangaroo Flat 168/311 *
Calivil 145/87 South Bendigo 165/222
Inglewood 145/-37 Bendigo 157/215
Dingee 143/131 Marong 154/127
Castlemaine 89/-169 Bendigo East 72/-278
White Hills 87/-136 Bridgewater 72/-378
Harcourt 63/-233 Heathcote 36/-523
Division 7 Division 8
Woodbury 142/218 * Kangaroo Flat 137/129
Bendigo VRI 121/123 South Bendigo 107/40
Golden Square 117/81 Woodbury 107/39 *
White Hills 87/-51 Campbell’s Creek 94/-32
Strathfieldsaye 73/-120 Marong 87/-2
Eaglehawk 73/-143 White Hills 73/-177
Kangaroo Flat -134/75 Lockwood South 67/3
Division 9
Harcourt 151/144 *
Woodbury 130/152
Bendigo 130/138
White Hills 118/79
Dingee 104/42
Castlemaine 77/-70
Bendigo VRI 53/-183
North Bendigo 21/-302
MIDWEEK PENNANT WINNERS
Division 1 Golden Square 68 def Bendigo East 65
M Cusack B Hogan R Pearce
T Schill D Jennings W Robins
M Chisholm Y Robinson J Robins
J Ross (s) P Pain (s) R Groves (s)
Division 2 Kangaroo Flat 79 def White Hills 63
H Crow D Meighan V Webster
E White B Langley B Hansen
D Weigard M Verbeek B Boyd
N Berry (s) J Alexander (s) A Ferguson (s)
Division 3 Woodbury 78 def Kangaroo Flat 57
W McCumber P Luke I Aitken
J Grainger R Schulz Y Boyd
D Anderson V Rodgers M Green
C Edwards (s) R Craig (s) E McMaster-Smith
Division 4 Castlemaine 78 def Bendigo East 65
H Fleury G Fraser J Bassett
B Miller C Madgin R Fleury
A Hill A Jolme N Hufer
S Williams (s) M Harris (s) K Parsons (s)
Division 5 Strathfieldsaye 50 def Inglewood 49
M Filan N Plumridge
S Curnow J Dole
J Lethbridge R Riley
G Wells (s) B Bell (s)
WEEKEND PENNANT WINNERS
Division 1 South Bendigo 96 def Bendigo East 87
T Zimmer D Oddy S Zsigmond W Marwood
D White J Wiffen D Sherman A Taylor
B Gould M Sidebottom G Page F Byrne
G Downie (s) L Crapper (s) B Holland (s) L Hoskin (s)
Division 2 Kangaroo Flat 87 def Eaglehawk 77
M Balnaves D Howarth W Walsh G Lowe
J Phelan B Coutanche G Howes R Baxter
B Langley R Payne S Harling S Howes
J Schultz (s) B Flett (s) G Hegarty (s) E White (s)
Division 3 Harcourt 108 def Golden Square 90
C Frost D Normington B Jenkinson J Morris
G Hill M Grant T Chisholm J Grant
J Kays P Clarke R Harris B Smith
L Maloney (s) G Maddern (s) S Douglas (s) T Olsson (s)
Division 4 Strathfieldsaye 97 def South Bendigo 75
B Capewell J McGregor A Blair I Ball
D Brown G Etherton S Wild B Jones
G Sargeant A Morris J Collings U Oper
T Probert (s) T Cole (s) S Smith (s) D Huggard (s)
Division 5 Golden Square 100 def Campbell’s Creek 89
P Ferrier T Hocking A Collins C Bird
E Chapman H Hendy D Luke R Bell
A Slingo W Stammers K Connaughton P Camm
D Kent (s) G Taylor (s) L Power (s) G Tipple (s)
Division 6 Kangaroo Flat 97 def South Bendigo 80
W Wigmore C Canny E Scollary R Burns
M Perryman E Caine H Hornstra C Saari
B Scollary K Lawlor W Gook A Ferguson
R Clark (s) J Ritchie (s) I Vogele (s) W Conboy (s)
Division 7 Woodbury 73 def White Hills 58
W McCumber J Ryan J Holland
J Lee M Weeks Macdonald
L Murphy J Davidson I Harrington
B Shay (s) P Luke (s) J Grainger (s)
Division 8 Woodbury 79 def South Bendigo 77
G Vowles K West D Adie
S Trealor T Roderick B Cozens
R Craig P Edwards D Anderson
R Anderson (s) K Geyer (s) P Gould (s)
Division 9 Harcourt 48 def Bendigo 32
G Blease S Bird
G Ace I McMillan
K Francis J Bath
D Jeffries (s) D Gale (s)
REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS
NORM KNOPP SHIELD (Northern Country Challenge)
Norm Knopp Team
Nick Belt, Mitch Hocking, Paul Moller, David Keenan (s)
Geoff Boyd, Ken Rusbridge, Tony Ellis, Darren Burgess (s)
Phil Godkin, Liam Crapper, Cameron Wilson, Bradley Holland (s)
Martin Lord, Paul Vlaeminck, Luke Hoskin, Aaron Tomkins (s)
Cameron Keenan, Brayden Byrne , Marc Smith, Mitch Sidebottom
Grant Woodward, Gary Ryan, Barry Anset, Bradley Marron (s)
Manager- Arthur Harrison Selector/Coach- Travis Bradley
Game 1
Bendigo def Northern by 48 shots
D Keenan def R Fletcher 12/7, D Burgess def D Baker 13/10, B Holland drew J Lunghusen 12/12, A Tomkins def C Skerry 17/6, M Sidebottom def K Dehne 23/4, B Marron def F Ritchie 17/7.
Game 2
Bendigo def Campaspe by 2 shots
D Keenan def B Campbell 10/9, D Burgess lt K Brennan 9/15, B Holland def T Mansbridge 11/5, A Tomkins lt R Werner 8/20, M Sidebottom def B Tinning 14/8, B Marron def D Cartwright 17/10.
Game 3
Bendigo def Goulburn Valley by 6 shots
D Keenan def M Ryan 14/13, D Burgess def G Shilling 17/9, B Holland lt J Stokes 9/13, A Tomkins lt C Power 8/12, M Sidebottom def M Robertson 14/8, B Marron def P Nichols 13/12.
Overall Results Bendigo 6 Points 56 shots, Campaspe 4 points 17 shots, Goulburn Valley 1 point -20 shots, Northern 1 point -53 shots.
Best winning rink Cam Keenan, Brayden Byrne, Marc Smith, Mitch Sidebottom.
Thanks to Moama for sponsoring the day and Pat Schram and Geoff Howes
the Co-ordinators.
PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Results of the Provincial Championships played at South Bendigo.
Geelong again won the Austin Roberts Shield.
Geelong 6 points 66 shots
Ballarat 3 pts -9 shots
Bendigo 3 pts -15 shots
Wimmera 0 pts -42 shots
Bendigo 85 tied Ballarat 85
B Holland lt B Wilcock 10/18, B Marron lt M Sloper 10/12, L Schraner lt S McLean 16/18,
D Burgess tied I Warner 15/15, A Tomkins def W Robert 17/13, D Keenan def R Bedggood 17/9
Bendigo 88 def Wimmera 79
B Holland lt K Jones 14/19, B Marron lt C Pendlebury 15/17, L Schraner def A Batchelor 19/10,
D Burgess lt W Perris 8/10, A Tomkins def G Gazelle 17/11, D Keenan def M Funcke 15/12
Bendigo 66 lt Geelong 90
B Holland def S Sullivan 20/9, B Marron lt B Wilding 8/20, L Schraner lt S Williams 11/13,
D Burgess lt M Flapper 4/21, A Tomkins lt C Inderberg 10/17, D Keenan def b Umbers 13/10.
Geelong will host the 2021 Championships
Team –Richie Murray, Lawrence Brook, Andrew Brown, David Keenan (s)
Geoff Boyd, Ken Rusbridge, Tony Ellis, Darren Burgess (s)
Phil Godkin, Liam Crapper, Rod Phillips, Aaron Tomkins (s)
Cameron Keenan, Paul Vlaeminck, Luke Hoskin, Brad Holland (s)
Robert Day, Cameron Wilson, Marc Smith, Lee Schraner (s)
Grant Woodward, Paul Moller, Barry Anset, Brad Marron (s)
Manager- Travis Bradley.
MEN’S REGION SIDES CHAMPIONSHIP
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Boromeo/Lucas Challenge Shield (Bendigo/Ballarat ladies)
Boromeo Lucas Challenge against Ballarat held
at Sebastopol
Team and results
J Ovenden, J Conder, G Waegeli, S Koch (s) lt M Russell 13/19
M Frank, J Clough, B McDermott, A Borham (s) def E Kierce 26/8
P Hunter, M Fletcher, C Frost, T O’Shea (s) def M Tait 23/21
I Godkin, J O’Shea, J Robertson, K Rowe (s) lt L Macarthur 12/23
V White, J Poulton, C Grenfell, H Cozens (s) lt J Shepherd 17/20
R Pearce, J Palmer, W Hegarty, S Howes (s) def J Harman 24/11
Bendigo won the Boromeo/Lucas Shield 115/102 for the 5th year.
Best Bendigo winning rink was Mary Frank, Jenny Clough, Bronwyn McDermott and Ann Borham.
WOMENS REGION SIDES CHAMPIONSHIP
Cancelled due to COVID -19
BENDIGO/CAMPASPE CHALLENGE SHIELD
Cancelled due to COVID-19
GOLDEN RIVERS CHALLENGE
Golden Rivers Challenge Team
Val Flett, Wendy Hegarty, Gwen Waegeli, Susan Howes (s)
Heather Cozens, Sharon Koch Pam Hunter, Trish O’Shea (s)
Kaye Rowe, Irene Godkin, Judy Davey, Helen Clough (s)
Game 1
Bendigo def Northern by 8 shots
S Howes lt J Fairchild 10/16, P O’Shea def R Opie 14/10, H Clough def D Manners 14/4
Game 2
Bendigo lt Campaspe by 5 shots
S Howes lt M Stephenson 4/19, P O’Shea def L Roney 12/9, H Clough def E Locke 16/9
Game 3
Bendigo lt Goulburn Valley b 7 shots
S Howes lt D Hands 9/12, P O’Shea lt J Sprague 13/17, H Clough drew 14/14
Overall Results- Campaspe 6 points 23 shots, Goulburn Valley 4 points 5 shots, Bendigo 2 points -4 shots, Northern 0 points -24 shots.
Best winning rink Jean Fairchild (Northern)
VETERANS DAY
Was held on 5th March at Golden Square, unfortunately due to weather no bowls
could be played. Some 60-70 attended.
Games were played instead and presentations of Veterans Badges were made to
our new Super Vets
Those to received badges this season were-
Men
Keith Rowley (Inglewood), Tony Aiello (Bendigo), Roy Capener (Marong), John McCurry (White Hills)
Bill Sertori (White Hills), Ken Craze (Golden Square), Carl Blaufuhs (Golden Square), Peter Edwards (Woodbury), Julian Lee (Woodbury), Des Samson (South Bendigo), Alan Cameron (Bendigo East)
Noel Kilby (Bendigo East), Michael Nihill (Bendigo East), Bill Boyle (Eaglehawk), Les Morante (Heathcote), John Hutson (Heathcote)
Ladies
Elaine Hill (Marong), Jan Scott (Marong), Jan Sertori (White Hills), Mary Harding (Campbell’s Creek)
Nola McLean (Campbell’s Creek), Wendy Lethlean (Golden Square), Joyce McKinstry (Golden Square)
Dawn Jennings (Golden Square), Irene Petering (South Bendigo), Pat Doherty (South Bendigo)
Gwen Chiron (South Bendigo), Glenda Holt (Bendigo East)
Thanks to Golden Square for hosting the event, Great Ideas for gifts and Flack Advisory for the sponsorship.
REPORTS
SECRETARIES REPORT
The Board held 7 Board meetings and 3 Delegates meetings.
We thank our sponsors for their continued support.
The Bendigo Advertiser for their excellent coverage of Lawn Bowls in Bendigo, a big thanks to Luke West.
To the Fresh FM Bendigo for our Saturday morning Bowls Show during the Pennant season. Thanks John Carter, Gary Beckham, Susan Howes and Marian Craze for your commentary.
To Cogho and Supayou a thank you for bringing not only bowls but all sports in Bendigo
to our homes through Facebook. How fantastic was it having our Midweek Division 1 and Weekend Division 1 Grand Finals lived streamed.
To Chairman Marian and all Board Members thank you for your support.
The Pennant Competitions Committee have again done an excellent job organizing our Pennant and State Events, our Umpires assessor Marj Gorrie for organizing umpires and markers for the State events and Pennant Finals, Susan Howes thank you for giving up your Monday evenings and Saturday nights with our Pennant results. Our Dragons Committee Vicki and Steph well done.
Thanks to all Clubs for your assistance during the season.
Geoff Howes
B.B.D.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR SEASON 2019/2020
Our bowling year is drawing to a close under exceptional circumstances. None of us would have envisaged as our pennant season ended, that we would have had to cancel our State Events, the Disabilities Championships, the Division Presentation Night and the B.V. Hall of Fame event. Who would have thought that bowling clubs would be closed and that greens would lie unused and that we would be in ‘lockdown’ for several months. No meetings either at Club or Division level.
The year started well with all Division Committees meeting together with the Board. This connection has enabled a much more cohesive and consistent outcome for the Division as a whole. Transparency was always our paramount aim with information being sent out to Clubs on a regular basis. The Futures Committee had made recommendations to changes in the Regulations. Clubs were asked to respond with the majority complying. Some proposed changes were rejected by Clubs. The Division Committees’ and the Board accepted and implemented the results.
The Division Board members have enjoyed their visits to the various Club openings and have offered their continuing support to all Clubs. Visits were made during the year to Clubs that required assistance and support. The Board was made aware of their needs and tried to assist where possible.
The Board met with the Campaspe Board at Elmore to discuss changes to our Constitution especially in regard to discipline. The combined Division Boards’ agreed that there was a need to be able to apply discipline proceedings when necessary, together with Clubs and BV. This was sent to BV along with our arguments and the reasons for the need to make changes to the Constitution. This was viewed favourably by BV at that time.
Early in the year there was a forewarning from BV that there were to be dramatic changes with regards to Regions/Divisions. This we now know has materialised. The Board, due to the lockdown, was unable to meet with Clubs to forward information and to discuss the implications involved at the date decreed. BV was contacted by the Division Board requesting that due to the current Coronavirus situation that the timeline be extended from the due date, July 2020. BV finally changed the date of implementation to June 2021. This will allow us more time to absorb the changes and to study the implications involved for all clubs in our Division. All this is very much ongoing and much spadework needs to be done in the next few months.
The Indoor/Under Cover Green concept was fully supported by the Board. A meeting was held with Craig Niemann from the Bendigo City Council. Arguments were presented to the Council in relation to the perceived benefits of having such a facility in Bendigo. At the moment funds are being sought through Grants to fund the feasibility study. The suggested Business/Strategic Plan for Bowls in the Bendigo Region will cost approximately $30,000 with the Division already committing $5000. Further meetings have taken place with Council representatives and hopefully more are to come.
Those Bendigo bowlers who have represented our Division are to be congratulated, not only on their success but for their sportsmanship. The Division has had some success with Inter Region events and brought home shields, won with pride. The standard of bowls and on the green behaviour has been exemplary at all times. The Pennant Finals were all played to that same standard. Well done!
This Division has implemented many new initiatives in the past year.’ Bowling With Babies’ has encouraged young women to have a roll, while meeting other mothers and sharing time together. ‘Roll Up’ for youngsters between 10 and 18 has had a dozen youngsters trying their hand at bowls. ‘The Roll Back the Clock’ program was just getting started when the lockdown occurred. Older members of our community were being encouraged to keep fit and the try their hand at bowls.
The Disability Championships were really going to be well supported with the Blind Bowlers joining in this year. Hopefully this will be another show case event for Bendigo next year.
All of this could not work without the commitment of all Division Committees and Board members. There are many meetings, lots of organising, and of course much time expended by all. I wish to acknowledge the workload of our Secretary Geoff Howes. He does a great job of keeping us all on track. The Pennant/Competitions committee are the backbone of all our inter Club competitions. They spend hours organising and attending these numerous events. Thank you to all Umpires. Measurers and Markers, who give their time willingly, under the leadership of Marj Gorrie. A big thank you to our Midweek and Weekend Pennant Recorder Susan for a fantastic job.
To all the Board members, I thank you for your support and I have enjoyed the privilege of chairing the Division for the past two years. My message to all Bendigo Division members is, just keep enjoying, keep supporting and keep playing!
Marian Craze
PENNANT COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
The last Bowls season was a great success with excellent numbers in all events.
We congratulate all the winners of the state games and we wish them luck at the state titles later on. Congratulations to all the Pennant winners Midweek and Weekend.
We thank the Clubs for making their greens available and a special thank you to the Greenkeepers who do a magnificent job giving us great greens to play on.
Thank you to Marg Gorrie for a fantastic job supplying Umpires and Markers when we require them.
Finally I thank the members of the Match Committee who put in a lot of time and dedication to ensure the Bowls season was the great success that it was.
We look forward to another great season in 20/21
John Grenfell
Chairman
BBD Match Committee
SELECTION REPORT
Women Selection
The ladies selection committee met twice through the year to select two representative teams.
The first was for the Northern Country Challenge in Moama. Not a very successful day for Bendigo.
The second team selected was for The Boromeo/Lucas challenge when we traveled to Ballarat for the day. This was a very close game but Bendigo managed to come home the winners and retain the Boromeo/Lucas shield.
Unfortunately we had to cancel the Bendigo/Campaspe challenge due to COVIDSAFE 19.
I would like to thank all players who made themselves available and represented the BBD proudly.
Thank you to my fellow selectors- Betty Bodinnar, Mardi Chisholm, Heather Cozens and Vicky Greenwood for their time and input into selecting our representative teams.
Chairperson
Susan Howes.
Men’s Selection
Firstly I would like to thank all the players that made themselves available for selection I truly believe this was the strongest teams we have had for a while thank you guys for commitment and support.
First event Northern Country Challenge on Sunday 27th of October 2019 at Moama which is played between Campaspe, Goulburn, Bendigo and Northern Bowls Divisions we had couple of new players in come and several returned for this event it was Bendigo Bowls Divisions day we won all 3 games for the day and enjoyable company and great bowling played. Best rink for the day was Mitch Sidebottom skip Marc Smith third Brayden Byrne second and Cameron Keenan Lead with 3 wins +29 Second event was the long waited return of the Provincial hold between Geelong, Ballarat. Bendigo and Wimmera Bowls Divisions unfortunately the season of 2018/2019 it was a heat wave so in return we were fortunate to hold this event again for the 2019/2020 season it was held at South Bendigo Bowls Club 2nd of February 2020 had few unavailable due health couple of new players in and several returned unfortunately things didn’t go to plan Geelong Bowls Region come out winners for the day Bendigo Bowls Division Finish with a Draw Win Lose in all there 3 games Best rink for Bendigo Bowls Division was David Keenan skip Andrew Brown third Lawrence Brooks second Ritchie Murray Lead 3 wins +14 this event will be played in the Geelong Bowls Region in season 2020/2021.
On this note I would like to say big thank you must go to Manager Arthur Harrison at Northern District Challenge and the officials from the BBD last but not least my fellow selectors in Marc Smith and Nick Belt thank you. Chairman of Selection Committee Travis Bradley
UMPIRES PANEL REPORT
ACCREDITED UMPIRES: 13
ACCREDITED MARKERS/MEASURERS: 2
REACCREDITED UMPIRES: 8
RE-ACCREDITED MARKER/MEASURER: 1
DISCONTINUED UMPIRES: 8
FORMS ON HAND: 1 UMPIRE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE AND
2 RE-ACCREDIT UMPIRES
Following the advice from Bowls Victoria I am now contacting umpires due to re-accredit in 2020 and issuing forms which are to be sent to Bowls Victoria who in turn shall send them to me to hold until such time as restrictions are lifted.
Marjorie Gorrie
Umpire Assessor
PENNANT RECORDER
I would like to thank all clubs for their continued support in sending in the pennant results throughout the season. We had very few hiccups this season.
Hopefully next season all clubs will be able to enter their own pennant teams and results on the bowlslink system. We will be working on this in the off season.
Pennant Recorder
Susan Howes.
Junior Bowls Report 2019/2020
This season, we held a number of monthly clinics on Fridays at Bendigo Bowls club and also had the opportunity to take part in those at Bendigo East on Wednesdays with Rob Clough and Steve Fuller. We were pleased to have the extra help this season and see many new younger members start, who were guided by our experienced members.
The Dragons Singles were held at Bendigo Bowls Club during the September school holidays and we had a range of ages from 6 years old to 17. There were a number of fantastic matches and great sportsmanship seen all round. The day concluded with Connor Fry and Lachy Darroch playing against each other in the final. Lachy was playing for a back to back win, but Connor came away as the winner on the day!
This season, Bendigo Bowls Club hosted the Under 18 National Championships. Due to the NT not being able to bring a girls state team, Victoria was lucky enough to be able to enter a Girls B team. Bridget Hayes was selected to play in this, where she showed off her skills of singles play and came very close to beating some of Australia’s top Under 18 female players.
We played the Bendigo Dragons vs. Ballarat Gold Diggers game on the 9th of January. We took a bus to Webconna Bowls Club and played off for the shield. It was a fun-filled day where many of the juniors played their first game of bowls! Ballarat were the stronger team on the day, although we had a record breaking event having 5 members of the Fuller family play in the side of 12 players.
On Wednesday the 15th of January, we were very excited to head back to Daylesford to take part in the 14th Annual Junior Provincial tournament. As a strange turn of events (as we had lost to them 6 days prior) we had a win against the Ballarat Squad! Due to two close losses to the Eastern Eagles and the Geelong Giants, we missed out on making the finals. The day ended just in time during the final with thunderstorms taking over.
In February, we took a small bus to Darebin Bowls Club to play in ‘The Doug Kneebone tournament’. This year the format was changed from fours to pairs and we entered 5 teams. Lachy Darroch and Nick Rowley were the stand out pair on the day, coming close to taking out a prize. Thank you to Darryl Rowley and Steve Fuller who came on the day to assist with coaching the juniors. It was the first singles and pair’s game for a number of them.
We would like to thank Lachy Darroch for his time in our squad, as he turns 18 in June. Lachy has been in the squad for 8 years and shown a lot of support to new, young players as they have begun.
Bailee Randell was selected to play at the Ted King tournament in the team representing the ‘up and coming’ U18 state side. He felt extremely privileged and has been putting a huge amount of effort into his bowls this last year.
Due to the bowls season being cut short this season because of Covid-19, we were unable to organise a game against the Geelong Giants as we had hoped. We will aim to do so in the 2020/21 season. Many juniors were also unable to play their games at the Under 18 Championships week in April as this was postponed, but may be rescheduled when possible.
We would like to thank Bendigo and East Bendigo Clubs for the use of their greens and facilities. They are always very welcoming of all our junior members.
We want to show our appreciation to all the parents and grandparents who bring the kids to and from bowls events, and any other volunteers who provide their time for us. We always appreciate anyone who wants to assist us.
Last but not least, a huge thank you goes to our generous sponsor Dunlop and Pitson Earthmoving for their ongoing support.
In conclusion, we would like to remind all clubs to please inform us of any new junior bowlers that might be interested in joining our Dragons Squad.
Stephanie Priest and Vicki Greenwood.
Under 18 Bowls Committee.
Treasurer’s Comments
I wish to advise that BBD has recorded an “official” profit of $14,176-42 for the year just completed. I say “official” because the year finished very suddenly immediately after the pennant grand finals and we have been unable to have our presentation night. The cost of this night together with the trophies given out is usually about $10,000-00. Allowing for this, our actual profit is about $4,000-00 which is a little better than last year.
The board made the decision to keep the levies that have already been charged to the clubs for the next year (or the next presentation night). We do want to do something to recognise the trophy and pennant winners for this season, but with the current emergency, we really do not when or where something can be held until the restrictions are eased off considerably.
I do not recommend that we change any of our fees for next season as I do not see the need for it.
The next season is likely to be the last season in our current set-up. From a financial point of view our Division is, I believe, well placed financially compared to the other division(s) that we may be combining with and I do not think that we have to worry about any major financial change – if at all.
I wish to thank all those who have helped me throughout this past year.
Stephen Piercy
Treasurer
Bendigo Bowls Division Inc 13 May 2020